Palmer Square Park to Host Inaugural Harvest Festival and Halloween Celebration

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Palmer Square · October 20, 2025

Palmer Square Park will transform into a Halloween wonderland on Wednesday, October 26, when the Chicago Park District presents its first-ever Halloween Dance Party at the recently designated arboretum. The celebration comes just weeks after Palmer Square Park was officially recognized as Chicago's first arboretum by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program, administered by the Morton Arboretum in suburban Lisle.

The family-friendly event will feature trick-or-treating, games, costume contests, and seasonal activities against the backdrop of the park's newly labeled tree species collection, which now serves as an educational resource for the community. As with other Logan Square Halloween traditions, attendees can look forward to free pumpkins to decorate, a costume parade, DJ entertainment, face painting, and a special Dia de los Muertos station. Local businesses will also participate, offering treats and refreshments throughout the evening.

Residents are encouraged to come in their Halloween best and enjoy the fall festivities while appreciating the park's over 200 trees that create a stunning autumn canopy. The event represents another step in the preservation group's mission to plant more trees in the neighborhood while fostering community connections. For more information about this and other Halloween activities in Chicago parks, visit the Chicago Park District website.

Sources:
1. https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/about-us/news/enjoy-variety-halloween-events-chicago-parks-citywide
2. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/07/palmer-square-park-named-chicago-park-districts-first-arboretum/
3. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/07/your-ultimate-chicago-halloween-guide-70-parades-parties-markets-and-family-events/
4. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/12/neighbors-can-explore-historical-palmer-square-homes-and-gardens-during-preservation-walk/